Anstruther golf club dates back to the 1890’s with the first competition played in April 1891. Originally there were 7 holes starting from below the cave and playing up over Flagstaff Hill however only 2 years later the ground which is now the 1st and 9th fairways was leased, and the course was increased to 9 holes. In 1896 Old Tom Morris advised the club to acquire more land at the Hynd as in his opinion this “would add to the attraction of the course and bring many golfers to the area”.

Better known for it’s Fish & Chips Anstruther sits nine miles south of St Andrews and it’s nine-hole links course boasts Todays Golfer’s 2007 hardest par 3 in the UK. Playing a full 245 yards ‘The Rockies’ is a true moment to behold.

Teeing from a cliff-top tee location it just about gives a glimpse of the small sloping green set well below at the bottom of the cliffs. On the right you have a mountainside that is covered in all sorts of shrubbery and most certainly would lead to a lost ball whilst on the left you have a rocky shoreline with a series of highly visible white stakes indicating out-of-bounds. In between there is just a sliver of fairway to aim at for those who wish to play the hole as a two-shotter.

The course will be the backdrop and lend its name to the inaugural Fourball match play tournament, the Anstruther Medal.

Comprising 8 teams, the winning team will need to over come three rounds of match play to lift the trophy. Following the announcement of the tournament the field filled up in less than 24 hours with a full compliment of teams eager to take on the challenge.

EuroDov Tour Secretary, David McColgan, said, “it was great to see the enthusiasm for the tournament. It is not your usually 18-hole strokeplay so there was some concern how well it would be received.
It has been interesting to see the teams come together, some very obvious groupings like Allan/Duncan but also some surprises in there too.

The short format 9-hole match play is going to add to the excitement as teams need to come out the gate scoring and there is likely to be plenty of thrills and spills along the way.”

Let’s take a run through the teams and see who is favourite ahead of the tournament on March 28th;

EuroDov Reporter Predictions –

Kinnear/Sutherland
Odds: 3/1
The pairing of Allan Kinnear and Stuart Sutherland isn’t one that was on the cards but one that has a lot of potential. Sutherland is a steady player and thrives on confidence, playing the Order of Merit the week before gives him a huge opportunity to come to Anstruther ready to go. Kinnear’s distance will be a huge advantage on this course, and many will overlook his short irons and they will do so at their own peril. My forecast has Kinnear/Sutherland and Allan/Duncan meeting in the semi-final, the winner of that takes the Medal.

Baxter/Brannan
Odds: 3/1
This is a perfectly sensible partnership and one that has huge upside. Both players know each other well and they have strength in equal measure. This is the team that is more likely to be a partnership, with no one dominant player. This will undoubtedly help them as long as they can dovetail when one player is having a bad hole the other is carrying the side.

Robertson/Strachan
Odds: 4/1
Again, this is good partnership. Despite a last-minute change in personnel this team has a strong upside. Ryan has strength and distance, and a good approach game and Robertson has a great ability to play within himself and score well. Many people won’t have this team on the radar, but they could easily find themselves in the final and a chance to lift the Medal.

Cunningham/Seath
Odds: 4/1
This is a replacement pairing for the favourites, Allan/Duncan. Whilst the pair drop in the predictions, they could very well be holding the trophy at the end of the day. Both Cunningham and Seath posses great accuracy and ability to play within themselves. Don't be surprised to see them in the final match of the day.

Hamilton/Lynch
Odds: 6/1
Another pairing that sees steady consistent golf paired with explosive power. If this pair dovetail well, Hamilton's confident consistency might just let Lynch shine with the pressure off. Their match against Cunningham/Seath is undoubtedly the match of the tournament, and one we'd probably have preferred to see in the final.

Love/McCran
Odds: 8/1
This is the partnership we all wanted to see. What it lacks in golfing prowess it makes up for in gamesmanship. However, this pair can’t be overlooked, given the short nature of the course and the 9-hole short format, they could easily kick out in front early and be hard to overcome. Love’s game is on the ascendency and in McCran he has a partner who has a strong iron game. If they overcome Robertson/Strachan in the qualifier they could easily make a run for the Final.

Connor/Peck
Odds: 9/1
This is a team with huge upside. Both players know each other well and both have strong iron games. Approach shots are going to be key on the shorter course at Anstruther and Connor’s off-season work on the links in St Andrews will give him an edge here. Their odds take a hit as they face Kinnear/Sutherland in the qualifier but if they can get through that match watch them shoot to the top. A big payday could be had by backing these guys pre-tournament.

Green/McColgan
Odds: 9/1
Observers will be surprised to see Green & McColgan here given McColgan is regularly cited as the most consistent player on Tour. However, their qualifying round opposition is Baxter/Brannan and all eyes are on the likelihood of overcoming them. Green will benefit from 5 holes where he’ll have a stroke over the opposition and if they can take advantage of that they have a chance.